President Obama announces his fiscal year 2014 budget proposal in the Rose Garden, along with Jeffrey Zients, acting director of the Office of Management and Budget. (Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg)

Texas Republicans today dismissed President Obama’s months-late 2014 budget proposal as a useless proposal that doesn’t get to the heart of what America needs.

The president’s $3.77 trillion blueprint calls for investments in infrastructure, education and research while replacing budget cuts that went into effect last month with increased taxes and spending cuts. The plan would reduce the deficit by $1.8 trillion over the next decade, according to the White House.

“When it comes to deficit reduction, I’ve already met Republicans more than halfway. So in the coming days and weeks, I hope that Republicans will come forward and demonstrate that they’re really as serious about the deficits and debt as they claim to be,” Obama said flanked by cherry blossoms and the acting director of the Office of Management and Budget, Jeffrey Zients, in the White House Rose Garden this morning.

But Texas Republicans think the proposal — which, like all White House budgets, is unlikely to pass — doesn’t properly address the economic issues facing Americans.

Sen. John Cornyn of San Antonio said Obama “chose to lead from behind and put off the task of governing.”

“Even with the extra time, the President has offered a budget that isn’t serious about putting our nation back on a path to long-term economic growth. He’s holding necessary reforms hostage to more tax increases, failing to take serious steps toward deficit reduction and pushing a budget that never balances.”

“The president’s budget unsurprisingly contains his usual cast of characters – higher taxes, more spending, and bigger government. I’m a small business owner. I know a budget when I see one, and this is not a budget…it’s a joke. This administration continues promoting its flawed policies, like its budget that doesn’t balance, that simply do not work. Unemployment still hovers around 8%, our nation consistently carries annual trillion dollar deficits, and business owners and families are cutting back, struggling to make ends meet.

Warm weather, cherry blossoms. Apparently Obama was two months late with his budget because he wanted to have the press conference outside.

>>> More reaction on the jump page
Rep. Pete Sessions of Dallas slammed Obama for his “overdue” budget proposal, that leans on tax hikes that would hurt job growth.

“House Republicans are committed to getting our economy back on track and expanding opportunity for the American people. That is why we approved a balanced budget to eliminate the deficit and restore confidence in our economy with job-creating projects like the Keystone XL pipeline. It’s time for the White House to start respecting the hard-earned tax dollars of American families by joining us in putting an end to fiscal recklessness in Washington.”

Rep. Kenny Marchant of Carrollton said the President’s proposed taxes is “irresponsible.”

“Americans want economic growth and jobs, which is why they overwhelmingly support a balanced budget. The House Republican budget would achieve balance, repeal Obamacare, include no new taxes, and in turn help our economy grow and help job prospects improve. The budget proposal that the President has introduced today raises taxes, increases government spending, and never balances.

“This proposal, delivered more than two months late, is not serious and is not a reasonable way to govern.”

“Shrinking paychecks combined with increasing gas and grocery prices have left Americans struggling to make ends meet. The last thing they need is for the president to raise their taxes, add more regulatory uncertainty for job creators, and ignore our looming debt crisis. These hardworking Americans want opportuntiy and a main street economy where, if they work hard and play by the rules, everyone can succeed.

The balanced Republican budget provides the fairer economy and greater future for our children that the American people demand, and I was proud to support it.”

Rep. Lamar Smith, chairman of the House Science Committee, says he’s skeptical about the Obama administration’s plans to ‘lasso’ an asteroid:

“Hardworking taxpayers are tired of watching the government borrow and spend money it doesn’t have.

While getting points for creativity, a proposed NASA mission to ‘lasso’ an asteroid and drag it to the Moon’s orbit will require serious deliberation. Seemingly out of the blue, this mission has never been evaluated or recommended by the scientific community and has not received the scrutiny that a normal program would undergo.”

Rep. John Carter:

“I regret the President’s fiscal year 2014 budget continues the Administration policy of ignoring the law, and relying on gimmicks and unauthorized proposals to claim savings,” says Carter. “At a time when our budget is hemorrhaging red ink and our Nation remains threatened from terrorists, illegal border crossings, and natural hazards, we need DHS to present a legitimate budget request that prioritizes protecting this country and complying with the law. Instead, the FY14 request defies numerous statutory requirements including incarceration of criminal aliens, fails to adequately support critical frontline missions, and repeats numerous proposals that Congress has soundly rejected.”